By Beth Dayo

You may think it’s just you who struggles to keep up with your health. It’s not.

In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, health comes after necessities like air, water, food, shelter, and sleep. In a world where healthcare is a luxury and surviving economically takes enormous energy, you are not alone.

On top of that, we inherited an exercise industry built largely around physical attractiveness. And while most of us want to look good to some degree, when it comes right down to it, food and rest come first, especially when the means are so far from the ends you desire. Grueling workouts, debilitating soreness, and an intimidating and judgemental atmosphere.

What you may not know yet is that is the outdated version of exercise we are still being sold while a more balanced version is growing in the shade of that towering industry of a tree.  

A new model of movement is emerging: one that cares for the whole human being. Not just strength and appearance, but connection, self-esteem, awareness, and ultimately, the ability to feel more fully alive.

Instead of leaving you depleted, it energizes you. Instead of making you dread your next workout, it leaves you wanting to move again. And instead of asking you to ignore your body’s signals, it teaches you how to listen.

So what does this new model look like?

1. It cares for your fascia.
Fascia is a sensory organ. It helps you perceive your own body and your relationship to the world around you. Fascia work restores your connection to the signals that tell you what feels good, what doesn’t, and when enough is enough.

2. It trains your mind, not just your muscles.
Rather than endless repetitions and counting sets, you use your attention to notice subtle sensations, organize relationships within the body, and stay connected to yourself as you move.

3. It works with energy, not just body.
Intention matters. Which is to say energy matters. Inhibiting yourself, overexerting yourself, or mentally berating yourself to fit in is not it. Directing energy with the breath, sound, and voice are all part of changing those inherited patterns, and expands our capacity for self-expression.

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines berating yourself for not liking exercise, or just berating yourself in general. You are not alone. And you no longer have to choose between feeling good and getting healthy. The era is upon us where the means and ends align and where we don’t have to sacrifice one tier of needs to get the other.

Beth Dayo is the owner and movement guide at Life in the Body. It is an ecosystem of wellbeing just like your body is an ecosystem. If you’re ready for the new era of you, visit www.LifeintheBody.com for more information. Or on Instagram @yourlifeinthebody